Sugarbeet News

Student from Bottineau knew very little about sugar beets; now, she works with them every week

When Amanda Monson started working with Jason Brantner, a researcher at the Northwest Research and Outreach Center, she knew very little if anything about sugar beets. Now, she spends time learning about them every week.

The senior from Bottineau, N.D., is majoring in agronomy and her work at the Research Center came about after a tour during plant pathology class. “When Jason, who gave the tour, mentioned a possible opportunity for students to work there, I was interested immediately,” Monson says.

Now in her second year, she assists with running soil assays, counts seedlings and pulls any that are unhealthy for Brantner to examine under the microscope to determine what went wrong.

“Jason recognizes everything under the microscope so learning from him about diseases and soil treatments is really interesting to me,” Monson continues. “I can go to the store to buy sugar I may have helped bring to market through the work being done in the lab at the Research Center. That’s exciting.”

Last summer Monson interned for ProAgri, Inc., in Bottineau as a crop scout. She loved being outside, and as she describes it, “playing in the dirt.” Scouting fields of wheat, barley, sunflowers, and even chickpeas made for a summer filled with work Monson loved.

Her internship and working at the NWROC, along with her classes in agronomy have Monson headed in the right direction. “I thought growing up on a beef cattle farm, I would major in animal science, but I love soils and seeds and agronomy is the best fit for me,” she says.

That discovery doesn’t mean that cattle are out of the picture for Monson as she hopes to someday have cattle of her own. “I love calving time, and although agronomy is my chosen field, I still would like to be involved in raising cattle,” she explains. “It is a part of who I am.”

Soil morphology, the study of the characteristics and properties of the soil observable in various soil layers, has become a favorite for her. The class, which she is taking as an independent study with Associate Professor Kristie Walker, is especially interesting to Monson. She also finds classes with her advisor Rob Proulx engaging as well.

When it comes to her greatest influences in life, Monson answers without hesitation—my grandpa. “He has farmed his whole life and he has been an example to me and to my siblings. He works because he wants to and growing up, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents, and I hope some of his work ethic rubbed off on me,” she smiles.

Her grandfather is not only hard working but innovative. “My grandpa is the inventor of Brandjord Tarps, a track tarp designed for trucks,” Monson says. “He is a role model for me in his farming and in his ability to problem solve.”

Monson will head back to Bottineau after she graduates in May 2018. “I want to go back to my home and to my history,” she says. “It’s in my blood.”

Beet Harvest Going Well — American Crystal general agronomist Tyler Grove says the cooperative has been working around the areas impacted by rains. "We're getting beets in anywhere we can.” Grove says the sugar content and yields have been good. “Sugar content is a little easier. Even with the rain, we’re pleased with how things are progressing. We are still in the 29.7 (ton) yielding range estimate.”

The 2017 sugarbeet harvest for Alberta sugar producers is currently at a standstill due to unfavorable wintery conditions. Snow accumulated over the weekend into Monday, forcing road closures and delays in southeastern Alberta.

Snow totals reached up to 7.9 inches (20 cm), according to CBC News, as of Monday morning.

The Alberta Sugar Beet Growers has shut down harvest until further notice.

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British sugar industry braces for major changeSky NewsWhile British Sugar - whose brand is Silver Spoon - supplies around 60% of the UK's sugar consumption, the company hopes the abolition of quotas will open up export markets around the world, which longer term could result in sugar beet production being ...

Sugar factories fire up early in Billings, SidneyBillings GazetteStatewide, sugar beet farmers rate 30 percent of their crop's condition as good to excellent, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The quality is much lower than the five-year average. Extreme drought in Eastern Montana is ...

Thanks to Mexican dumping, you can say aloha to Hawaiian sugarWashington ExaminerBeet sugar factories throughout the Midwest and cane facilities in the South are also limping along after losing $4 billion due to Mexico's unlawful acts. The U.S., like most other countries, has laws on the books to keep foreign competitors from ...

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American Crystal Sugar Company general agronomist, Tyler Grove, remains concerned about the effects the lingering cold, wet weather will have on seedling beets.

“It’s going to take some investigative work by the staff, growers, and consultants to try to sort out what’s out there and what remains,” he said. “The weather forecast doesn’t look too conducive to try to sort that out, even in the short term, so we have to wait until this system passes and see what we have.”

Grove reminds growers to be patient once things start drying and warming up.

“The thing about planting is you only get one shot a really good seedbed,” he continued. “With seed choices and all the seed treatments that are out there… Choose your varieties and locations wisely and be cognitive that you might not get exactly what you want for seed and seed options the next time.”

Mohamed Khan chats with Mick Kjar on Farm Talk on AgNews 890am.

Mohamed Khan chatted with Mick Kjar on Farm Talk Tuesday and indicated that American Crystal has roughly 80,000 acres planted so far. Most of that has been planted in the southern area of American Crystal's region. In the northern region, a small amount of sugarbeets have been planted, but they need things to dry out and warm up.

Khan indicated that in the American Crystal growing area, the ideal planting date over the last 25-30 years has been April 25th. However, nearly the entire American Crystal region has received significant snowfall, which has abruptly halted planting for the last several days and will continue to do so until about the middle of next week.

American Crystal Sugar Co. hoping for smooth contract talksBismarck TribuneKFGO radio reports (http://bit.ly/2p6kx8d) that the contract workers will receive $2,000 bonuses if a deal is reach by May 22. Crystal Sugar spokeswoman Lisa Borgen says the company would also like to get pay and benefits on the table early in the process.

Amalgamated Sugar wraps up record-breaking campaignTwin Falls Times-News“The ability to raise a quality sugar beet crop and the capacity to process that crop requires highly-skilled, dedicated people and cutting-edge technology on the farm and in the factories,” he said. “Without these competitive advantages, we would not ...

American Crystal Sugar Co. hoping for smooth contract talksWichita EagleOfficials with American Crystal Sugar Co. are hoping to have a contract settled with employees within the next month. KFGO radio reports (http://bit.ly/2p6kx8d) that the contract workers will receive $2,000 bonuses if a deal is reach by May 22. Crystal ...

Company reports record-breaking year processing growers' sugarbeetsOntario Argus ObserverOn March 10, the Nampa factory was the first to complete its processing of sugarbeets, the company said, including those beets formerly processed at the Nyssa factory, which now produces brown sugar for the company. The Mini-Cassia plant finished April ...